Freight handling device



Aug. 17, 1948. w. M.- RIDDICK FREIGHT HANDLING DEVICE Filed July 23, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet l Z Ml VE/V T0 R.

mam m: zidcgic/r Aug. 37, 1948. w. M. RlDDlCK FREIGHT HANDLING DEVICE e Sheets- Shet 2 Filed July 23, 1945 M'IENTGR. William mlh'dde'clf Aug, 17; 1948. w. M. RIDDXCK FREIGHT HANDLING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 25, 1945 Aug 17, 1948. w; M. RIDDICK 2,447,028

FREIGHT HANDLING DEVICE Filed July 23, 1945 e Sheets-Sheet 4 LF" r 28 gm g 28 INVFI TOK. William M. Fiddle/i Aug. 17, 1948.

Filed July 25, 1945 W. M. RIDDICK FREIGHT HANDLING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Shet 5 z waziam M. Mdac/r Aug. 17, 1948. w. M. RlDDlCK 2,447,028

FREIGHT HANDLING DEVICE Filed July 23, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 away Mu /Wok; m'm'am M Afiddic/f HTTOK/VEK Patented Aug. 17, 1948 UNITED STATES FREIGHT HANDLING DEVICE William M. Riddick, Houston, Tex., assignor of one-tenth to Willard B. McGranahan, L Angeles, Calif.

Application July 23, 1946, Serial No. 606,603

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to freight handling units, and more particularly to a plurality of individual units into which are deposited one or a number of freight packages, after which said unit may be sealed or locked and then moved into position into a transport vehicle, such as a truck, trailer, rail- Way car, ship or plane.

An object of this invention is to provide a plurality of such units, each adapted to be packed with merchandise and thereafter mounted upon or within a vehicle transport body, each unit being provided with means whereby a plurality thereof can be anchored to each other and to the transport body.

A further object of the invention is to construct the upper or enclosing parts of the units of demountable side pieces, end pieces and top pieces, which are sheets of hardware cloth, expanded metal, mesh wire, plywood or sheet metal, supported by a grid of angle iron members, the sheets being on the inner side to provide a smooth interior when assembled.

A further object is to provide rollers at each side and both ends alon the base whereby the unit can be turned on its side or ends which provides for rolling the container in any of the positions, as when the unit is empty for storing in a relatively small space, and for facility in entering the unit into the vehicle.

Another object is to provide such a unit which can be easily and readily disassembled.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the loading unit with the frame work removed;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the truck or loading unit;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the loading unit;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the loading unit;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side view of one of the side sections;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 88 of Fi 7;

Fig. 9 is a view of one of the ends of one of the frame units of the loading unit;

Fig. 10 is a top view of the end shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line I lll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of one of the units in assembled relation;

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the loading unit showing the frame work in place on the base;

Fig. 14 is an end view of the loading unit, in which the loading unit is turned on its side;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the top frame work of the loading unit;

Fig. 16 is a cross section on the line 16-46 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 1'7 is a cross section on the line :r-a: of Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a view of one of the fasteners used for fastening two of the units together;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view, showing diagrammatically the floor or bottom portion of the truck body or the like through which is passed a bolt for engagement with a pipe member extending downwardly from the under side of the unit base.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing a handle for moving the unit member.

Referring specifically to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate similar parts throughout the various views, the base or body part of the loading unit consists preferably of a relatively thin sheet metal plate I, which is flanged to form sides 2 and ends 3. These flanges are reinforced throughout their entire circumference as by angle iron members 4 and 5 to give the same strength. The base of the unit I is provided adjacent its sides and ends with a plurality of openings generally indicated at 6, said openings adapted to receive fasteners 30, illustrated in Fig. 18, when two of the trucks are placed in side by side or end to end closely abutting relation. It will be understood of course that the fasteners 30 are of generally U-shaped construction, having legs which are adapted to be inserted into the openings 6, thereby holding the units together when the same are placed in abutting relation. The body is also provided with a plurality of openings 1 extending along the sides and ends of the truck or unit body, these openings adapted to receive end legs 8 of the upper side and end frame members of the loading unit. It will be seen that the leg members 8 of the side frames only are provided with recesses or cut out portions 9, which fit into and engage or register with cross pins l0, these pins I0 being welded in the recesses 1 to accommodate said openings when the frames are moved into locking position therewith. The load bearing deck surface is provided at its four corners with openings into which are Welded downwardly extending tubing l I. These tubes are adapted to receive pins of the type illustrated in Fig. 19 of the drawings and are adapted to engage in an opening in the vehicle body when the unit is mounted on the transport vehicle. The flanged portions of the unit frame I, that is porti-ons 2 and 3, are each provided with openings l2 into which openings are horizontally mounted rollers 13, said rollers adapted to contact for example, the sides of a truck body when the same are being loaded and thereby reduce the friction of the same therewith during the loading and unloading movement of the units. Said rollers also act in the capacity of buffers. Another important feature of said rollers is that they adapt the unit to be turned on its side or end for example, in which position of the unit the said roller act as casters for rolling movement of the unit. This is especially important when the unit is empty and is to be stored or handled, the unit being adapted to be turned on its ends or sides, thereby saving space during the storage and handling of the units. Adjacent each roller opening !2 is an opening [4, which is adapted to receive the roller l3 of an adjacent truck, when two of the units are placed in side by side or end to end relation, it is of course, being understood that the rollers of one truck are staggered with relation to the rollers of the adjacent truck whereby the respective rollers of the respective units will fit into the openings l4, thus allowing the units to be moved into an abutting or flush position, such a position permitting the insertion of the fastening member 30 into the openings 6 in the respective bodies. The side flanges 2 and 3 have openings therein in which is welded a pipe section [5. This pipe section is adapted to receive a locking pin as illustrated in Fig. 19, which pin is adapted to be passed through an opening in the truck or carrier side and placed within the pipe l5, such an arrangement embodying another feature whereby the unit is held firmly to the transport vehicle. The unit is mounted on swivel casters generally indicated at IS with one in each corner of the unit frame whereby the same can be rolled and turned at will. On its underneath side the unit body is provided with a plurality of pipe sections i'l welded thereto, which pipe sections are adapted to receive pins such as 3|, which pins are passed upwardly through a hole in the floor of the truck or transport vehicle, said pin engaging within the openings in the pipe to hold the truck in fixed position on the transport vehicle. This arrangement is generally schematically illustrated in Fig. 19.

Mounted on the underside of the unit body I are a plurality of hanger members i 8, each member having a hole therein and adapted to receive a lockin bar l9, said bar extending through the openings in the hangers I8, the same being bent at one end as indicated at 20 and being provided with a handle 21. The ends of the flanged portions of the truck are provided with openings 22, said openings permitting the hand to be passed therethrough to enable an operator to grasp the handle 2| and then by pushing the locking bar l9 forwardly through a similar or corresponding opening 22 in an adjacent truck, after which the operator upon turning the handle 2|, the hooked end 20 will engage the flanged portion 2 of an adjacent, frame and thereby lock the ame together. After the locking bar is moved to such a locking position the same is held in a non-rotative position as by a cotter pin 23 passing through downwardly extending flanges 23a, which flanges are Welded to the unit underside.

Referring more particularly to the views relating to the frame structure or upper structure of the unit, one of the side sections is generally indicated at 24, and both side sections being identical only one section will be described. These side sections are composed of a plurality of angle irons 25 to which is applied hardware cloth, expanded metal, wire mesh, plywood or sheet metal indi cated generally at 26, such sheet 26 being attached to the inner sides of the angle irons to thereby provide a smooth finish on the insides of these frame members, that is, that side next to which commodities, packages or the like are to be stored. Referring specifically to Fig. 9, one of the end members is shown, said member comprising angle irons 21 and side channe1 irons 28, the

said side channel iron being for a purpose to be later described. And like the side member, this end member has attached thereto a wire mesh 26 attached to inner sides of the angle irons. It will be noted that the top angle iron member of this side frame has an opening or hole 29 therein, whereby the same may be locked in position with the top member which has a corresponding opening, later to be described. It will be noted that the mesh member 26 is mounted on the inner side of the angle irons 27 and that the angle irons 28 are placed so that the channels 28a thereof open inwardly.

The top frame member of the loading unit comprises a frame member consisting of a plurality of crossed angle iron bars 3 I to which is attached the wire mesh 26, similarly to the insides of said angle members as disclosed with the side and end frames. This top frame is provided along its sides with downwardly or inwardly extending angle irons 32, which are provided with inwardly projecting lugs 33, said lugs being adapted to engage the upper angle irons of the said members when the top is moved or slid into position from either end. The top is also provided with holes 34 in the end cross angle bars, which register with the openings 29 when the top is moved to its closed position thereby permittin a wire, seal or the like, to be passed through the said openings to thereby seal or lock the unit in its closed position.

Fig. 19 illustrates diagrammatically the manner in which the loading unit is fastened secure- 151 to a truck floor or the like. It comprises merely a bracket member 35 attached to the underside of the truck floor and having a hole therethrough, said hole registering with an opening 35 in the truck floor whereby a pin 3| is adapted to be moved upwardly therethrough into engagement with the open portion of the pipe H, which pipe, extends downwardly from the underside of the unit base as heretofore described. The pin BI is provided with an opening adapted to accommodate a cotter pin such as 38' to hold the same in place. Thus it will be seen that when a plurality of such pins are moved into engagement with the pipe sections ll, the unit will be securely anchored upon the truck or carrier floor. Likewise, it will readily be understood that the connections illustrated in Fig. 19 could be readily made through the side wall of the truck and the pin 3| inserted in the pipe section I5 to thereby further hold the loading unit in place upon the truck.

To assemble the entire unit the base is placed in a horizontal position resting on its swivel casters 16. A front end piece and both side pieces, in any order, are dropped into place, legs 8'slipping into openings '1 through deck l. The side pieces are then pushed forward, the front members of the side pieces fitting into the channel member 28a of the front end piece and the notches 9 engaging the bars Ill in sleeve 1, and permitting the rear end piece to be dropped into place. Insertion of the rear end piece prevents the side pieces from being pushed back to disengage notches 9 and therefore effectively locks the side pieces to the base. The top is then slid on from either end. The bead 33 engages the upper angle iron of the side members preventing the top from being lifted off. As the top extends over each end piece, the ends cannot be removed as long as the top is in place and this is insured by a lock, or wire seal through the matching holes 29 and 34 in the end and top pieces.

The individual units are adapted to be engaged as by a removable handle 50 having downwardly extending engaging members which are adapted to be inserted into the openings I l in the end of the body of the unit.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a very convenient and advantageous method of handling and transporting freight and cargo of all types. Thus each unit, for example, could be filled with freight and marked for different distribution along a particular route. Further the units could be made in any desired size and a variety of dimensions to accommodate various sized packages and articles to be shipped.

When it is desired to store or handle the units it will be seen that the same are adapted to be turned either on their sides or ends and in these positions are supported by the rollers l3, whereby the same could be stored or handled in a space much smaller than if the units always occupy their normal upright position. Besides this, the rollers 13 provide for reducing and eliminating friction when the units are being moved into or out of a truck or the like.

The units are weatherproof, being enclosed by a frame of plywood, laminated sheets, metal or the like. Further the units are capable of being sealed from a shipper to a. consignee whereby any unauthorized opening of the unit can be readily detected.

It is also within the scope of the invention to attach to each unit a serial number so that all units containing a particular serial number could be transferred from one transport vehicle, such as a freight car or truck to some other transport vehicle, such as an aeroplane, for example, and thereby easily keep all units designated to a particular destination together, without examining the contents of each individual unit.

The units are readily disassembled, that is, all that is necessary is to remove the top, side and end frame work, thus providing for quick and easily disassembling when desired.

The invention is not limited to the exact construction shown, but is capable of various modifications within the scope of the following claims:

I claim:

1. A freight container comprising a wheeled base, side, end and top frame members, said side and end members having depending legs provided with cut out recesses adjacent their lower portions and registering with openings in the wheeled base when the container is set up, cross pins in certain of said openings to engage in the recesses of said legs, said top member cooperating with the upper portions of the side and end members to close the container.

2. A freight container comprising a wheeled base having a downturned circumferentially flanged portion, angle iron members within the flanged portion, the perimeter of the base having spaced openings therethrough, cross pins within the side openings, side and end frame members having depended legs notched adjacent their lower portions and adapted to be inserted in said openings to engage the cross pins, said flanged portion having rollers mounted in recesses there- 3. A demountable freight container comprising a wheeled base, side and. end frame members having leg portions adapted to register in openings within the base, said leg portions having notches therein and cross pins in certain of the openings engaged by the notches of the legs, and a top frame member mounted on the upper portion of the side and end frames.

4. A freight container comprising a wheeled base, side, end and top frame members, a locking bar slidable in hangers on the underneath side of the base whereby the same may be moved to engagement with the base of an adjacent container, downwardly extending flanges through which the bar extends and means engaging the bar and flanges for locking the bar in non-rotative position.

5. A freight container comprising a wheeled base and side, end and top frame members, a flange extending completely around said base, pairs of openings in the sides and ends of the flange, and a roller in one of the openings of each pair and the other opening adapted to receive a roller of an adjacent container when the same are placed side by side or end to end in abutting relation.

6. A freight container comprising a wheeled base, side, end and top frame members, the base having spaced openings along the ends and sides thereof, and U-shaped fasteners for engaging in said openings when two or more of the containers are moved into abutting relation.

7. A freight container comprising a wheeled base, side, end and top frame members, each of the side, end and top frames terminating in flat leg portions, the leg portions of the side frames having recesses therein, the container base having a plurality of openings into which the leg portions of the respective frame members engage, the openings along the side of the container having cross pins therein which engage in the recesses in the legs of the side frames.

8. A freight container comprising a wheeled base, side, end and top frame members, said members consisting of angle irons and a covering, the end frames having inwardly extending channel irons at their respective sides, the side frames at their upper edges having an angle iron with an inwardly extending lug in which the top is confined when the same is slid in place.

WILLIAM M. RIDDICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 774,445 Moore Nov. 8, 1904 1,086,670 Jory et a1 Feb. 10, 1914 1,331,144 Erret Feb. 17, 1920 1,357,686 Bradway Nov. 2, 1920 1,440,588 Feucht Jan. 2, 1923 1,471,762 Wentz Oct. 23, 1923 1,608,039 Romine Nov. 23, 1926 1,711,577 Radka May 7, 1929 1,745,258 I-Iallowell Jan. 28, 1930 1,753,144 Caselman May 13, 1930 1,793,965 Romine Feb. 24, 1931 1,808,875 Woodruff June 9, 1931 1,820,765 Anderson Aug. 25, 1931 1,840,435 Davis Jan. 12, 1932 

